On this day in 1925, a Black child was born who would go on to become famous throughout the world.

A birthday luncheon was thrown for the city’s native son by the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. Malcolm’s birthday celebrations begin on Thursday and will last four days.

The Malcolm X visitor center was packed today for the civil rights leader’s birthday luncheon, and everyone was reminded that Malcolm was born in Omaha during a very trying time for African-Americans.

“He was raised by civic-minded parents who came to Omaha shortly before he was born and shortly after the lynching of Will Brown, so the tension in Omaha was high and Malcolm was raised and born in that tension before he left Omaha,” said Joanna Leflore-Ejike, Executive Director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation.

Jeremiah Neal’s artwork is displayed today; like so many others, Neal was unaware that Malcolm X was born in Omaha.

“I didn’t know where he was born and reared when I moved here from Michigan, so I was pleased when I got here to the foundation and saw a blank wall and I had something in my mind and heart,” Neal said.

Joanna Leflore is the Executive Director of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, she tells us years ago Malcolm’s birthday was a city-wide celebration.

“There were parades, food festivals, speeches, and guest lecturers so we want to bring that energy back this year.”

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